Richard Hilten
Vice-Chairman
Richard Hilten’s life is intimately connected to the history, traditions, nature, music, and culture of East Tennessee and beyond. The son of Methodist minister Robert Hilten and English teacher Sarah Hilten, Richard comes from a lineage of storytellers, historians, travelers, and patriots, going back to General W.G Lenoir who got his pigtail shot off at the battle of King’s Mountain.
Richard’s employment has included a wide variety of work. He served twelve years in Tennessee State Parks as Regional Naturalist and Park Ranger. He traveled the state learning about and interpreting for others the remarkable natural wonders and the fascinating people of our region. He then took these skills to Arizona when he became chief guide with a motorcycle tour company, leading visitors from around the world on adventures to National Parks in the southwest and down into Old Mexico.
Returning to Tennessee, Richard has continued his combined loves of motorcycling, travel, and educating people about a sense of place. He worked for Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company for fifteen years as Service Operations Area Representative, using his leadership skills to help many dealerships profit in the business and to highlight the enjoyment of riding motorcycles.
In retirement, Richard continues to pursue his interests of travel, motorcycling, conservation, music, and history. He guides tours, develops maps of the region, and does consulting work across the country. Richard and wife Jeanie live on their “squirrel ranch” in East Millers Cove in Blount County, Tennessee.
